How Round-the-Clock Medical Support Advances Health Equity for Older Adults

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Did you know that there’s a health equity crisis happening right now for older adults? It’s true…and not many people are talking about it.

On one side of the gap are Americans who have access to the healthcare they need when they need it. On the other are seniors who are forced to wait…until a small health issue becomes a major emergency.

…but there’s good news.

We have the solution in our hands. And people are living healthier and happier every single day because of it.

In this article, you’re going to discover:

• What’s really going on with health equity for older adults
• Why care 24/7 is so important
• How senior living communities close the gap on healthcare access
• The top benefits of continuous medical support

What’s Really Going on with Health Equity for Older Adults

It’s not a pretty picture…

In fact, healthcare disparities among older adults are at an all-time high. A recent University of Michigan poll showed that 46% of Black older adults, 37% of Hispanic older adults, and 23% of White older adults felt very concerned about unequal access to health care.

Yep. That means almost HALF of Black seniors are worried about whether or not they’ll be able to get the care they need.

And it doesn’t stop there.

When asked what health concerns kept them up at night, cost of medical care, cost of long-term care facilities, and unequal access to quality healthcare topped the charts for adults over the age of 50. This poll spoke to thousands of adults ages 50+, so we know these concerns are real.

Older adults face many obstacles that prevent them from getting the medical care they need. A lack of care 24/7 is one of the largest.

Many elderly adults:

• Struggle to get to hospitals when they’re sick
• Have chronic illnesses that need regular monitoring
• Experience cognitive decline that can make it difficult to advocate for themselves
• Live far away from medical facilities

When you factor in longer wait times in ERs due to lack of care 24/7, it paints a dangerous picture for seniors in need of medical assistance.

That’s why we believe senior living communities that offer 24/7 medical care are so important for health equity amongst the aging population. Our community members don’t have to worry about whether or not they can access care. We provide what they need most: timely access to medical care during emergencies.

Why Care 24/7 Is So Important

Did you know that…

Patients are waiting longer than ever to be seen by medical professionals in emergency rooms across the country. A Hebrew SeniorLife study found that the percentage of older patients whose length of stay in the ED eight hours or greater increased from 12% in 2017 to 20% in 2024.

Wait. What?

Twenty percent of older adults are waiting OVER EIGHT HOURS just to be admitted into an emergency room. Can you imagine what happens in that time? Patients aren’t just sitting in chairs waiting to be seen. Their conditions are rapidly declining by the minute.

But when seniors have access to 24/7 care, their medical concerns are seen right away by staff members. Conditions aren’t able to worsen because they’re caught early. Emergencies can be prevented. Patients are given the care they need when they need it.

Here’s what continuous care means for senior healthcare:

• Health changes are spotted right away
• Medical professionals can catch concerns before they become serious
• Hospital visits and readmissions decrease
• Chronic illnesses are better managed

Having access to trained medical professionals 24/7 closes the gap between when a medical problem arises and when you’re able to receive care.

How Senior Living Communities Close the Gap on Healthcare Access

You may be wondering…

What’s the difference between living in a senior living community versus my parent aging in place at home?

Great question.

The answer is access.

When older adults decide to age in place at home, they’re faced with a terrifying question: What happens if something happens when the doctor’s office is closed?

Sure, they can call 911. But that means waiting on an ambulance to arrive and hoping that their insurance will cover the bills. (Hint: It won’t.)

If they don’t call, they’re stuck trying to self-soothe or wait until morning to see about getting care.

And that’s if they’re lucky enough to recognize their own medical needs. What about senior citizens with cognitive decline or complicating conditions?

That’s why we think senior living communities with access to care 24/7 are so crucial to healthcare for older adults. Our teams of nurses and caregivers are there to serve our community members around the clock.

Not only will your loved one have care during emergencies, but they’ll receive:

• Daily check-ins with nursing staff
• Fast response to falls and medical events like strokes or heart attacks
• Access to continuous monitoring for vital signs and more
• Coordination with specialist doctors and hospitals
• Medication oversight and administration

24/7 Care: The Benefits

Let’s dive into why care 24/7 is a game-changer for healthy aging:

Emergency Rooms? What are those?

Emergency departments are full. And older adults are the ones who suffer because they can’t get seen right away. Part of the beauty of handling medical needs in-house is that residents don’t have to go to the hospital as much. As a result, they’ll receive treatment faster and have better outcomes.

Managing chronic illness is easier

From diabetes to heart disease to COPD, chronic illnesses are nothing new to the elderly population. But these conditions require continuous care and monitoring. When older adults have access to nurses 24/7, their chronic conditions can be managed properly.

Mental health matters, too

Anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline are serious issues for older adults. But when they know they have access to medical care around the clock, they experience peace of mind. That sense of relief has been shown to provide numerous health benefits.

Family members don’t have to worry

Okay. Let’s be real. If you have aging parents, you spend a lot of time worried about them. What happens if they fall? What happens if they have another heart attack? Worst-case scenarios race through your mind every time you leave the house.

But when you know your loved one has access to medical care 24 hours a day, you don’t have to worry about them facing a medical emergency alone.

Prevention is possible

All too often, we’re reactive when it comes to healthcare. We wait until something feels wrong before we take action. But what if we could prevent emergencies before they happen?

When you have a team of nurses and caregivers checking in on you daily, you can. Monitoring your vitals each day can expose unhealthy trends before they become dangerous.

Wrap-Up

Seniors shouldn’t have to wait until morning to get the medical attention they need. And they sure as heck shouldn’t have to wait over eight hours to see a doctor when they head to the emergency room.

We have the power to change this narrative. By offering care 24/7 in our senior living communities, we can provide what older adults need: access to quality healthcare when they need it.

Older adults shouldn’t have to fear what might happen when they’re alone at night. They deserve to age gracefully and receive care immediately during medical emergencies.

If you or your loved one are considering senior living, make sure your top contenders offer round-the-clock access to medical care. It just may be the best decision you’ll ever make for your family.